Reposted from WindwardFund.org
Fossil fuels are at the root of the climate crisis. Despite this, many governments are still approving new coal, oil and gas projects. It’s clear that we need a concrete, binding plan to end the expansion of new coal, oil and gas projects and manage a global transition away from fossil fuels. The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is helping to make that a reality.
“The Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative is not an organization, it’s a global, distributed campaign with a common call to action.”
First launched in 2019 as part of Climate Week in New York City, the Treaty Initiative’s goal is to create a binding global treaty for fossil fuel non-proliferation. A growing bloc supports the proposal, including 14 nation-states, over 100 cities, the World Health Organization, the European Parliament and thousands of other organizations. While there are many ways to hold fossil fuel companies and governments more accountable, history proves that global treaties are successful in facing global threats like nuclear weapons and landmines. And as Kumi Naidoo, President, says, “We need an agreement that will quickly deliver a fair transition away from oil, gas and coal so that no country, community or worker is left behind. This in essence means transforming the extractive, colonial fossil fuel based systems that got us into the climate, health, conflict and economic crises we are now facing.”
While the end goal is a binding treaty, the idea itself is a powerful tool to inspire action. “When people endorse a call for a treaty, it’s the beginning of a journey for countries at all levels,” explains Cara Pike, senior communications advisor to the Treaty Initiative and executive director of Climate Access.
The pillars of the treaty include:
- Non-proliferation,
- A fair phase-out of fossil fuel production; and
- A just transition to renewable energy and economic diversification away from fossil fuels.
The Treaty Initiative’s network of over 2,748 civil society organizations and institutions work together to push more countries and other partners to sign the proposal and to change the conversation about fossil fuels globally. “Before we started, fossil fuel production was completely ignored by the media and climate change efforts. The Paris Agreement doesn’t even say oil, gas or coal. We need to get people talking about this issue so we can chip away at the social license of the fossil fuel industry,” said Pike.
“We want to secure support from the general public so people can understand the importance of this demand and put pressure on their governments,” explains Nathalia Clark, communications director. And it’s working. Since its launch, the Treaty Initiative has seen a staggering increase in media attention and discussions of the dangers of fossil fuels on social media. This is due in part to the Treaty Initiative’s ability to tap into cultural moments, especially among communities most harmed by climate change.
“Pessimism is a luxury we simply cannot afford. There are people around the world being harmed today by climate change and fossil fuels, particularly in the Global South where countries least responsible for creating the problem are paying the highest price.” – Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative.
For example, the Treaty Initiative, alongside their colleagues in the region, created “This Is Our Home: Pacific Artists for Climate Justice,” a collective of Pacific Islander musicians and storytellers who use their music to advocate for climate justice. Artists performed around the world, including on stage with Coldplay in Lyon, France. In front of 60,000 fans, performers sang the songs of their ancestors and their communities and called for a Fossil Fuel Treaty. They are now gearing up for their next tour through the Pacific and South America — where they will continue to encourage action.
The Treaty Initiative also led the ad campaign, “Say the F Words at COP,” which encouraged folks to talk about fossil fuels at some of the most influential climate events. Network partners took up the banner and used this message in chants, media interviews and on social media platforms. “We don’t own any of this,” explains Pike. “What we create is for the movement as a whole and groups run with it and make it their own. I think that’s a big part of why we’ve had success to date.”
Windward Fund is proud to be one of the Treaty Initiative’s early funders, not only supporting the idea but also the local communities on the ground that have been resisting and fighting fossil fuels for a long time. Pike explained that it was difficult to be taken seriously by civil society and funders at the start. “It was the early funders that were willing to make those bets that really made this possible,” she said. “Our funders have bought into the vision, and that was bold, courageous grantmaking.”
Looking ahead, the Treaty Initiative is determined to get at least one more country from each region of the world to sign on. “We have a plan for a just transition from fossil fuels. We have science backing up our arguments and our campaign,” says Clark. “Society is on our side, indigenous communities are on our side. Now, we just need the political will to move the initiative forward.”
To learn more about the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, visit fossilfueltreaty.org.
